Maccabi Ashdod to Play First Winner League Game with Full Roster
Translated & summarized from Sport5 by baba
Maccabi Ashdod will play its first Winner League game on Thursday against Nes Ziona with a full roster, including Augustine Rubit, Ben Calhoon Gold, and Shawn Dawson. Coach Dan Katzir highlighted the team's preparation and the crucial role of fan support for the historic debut. Player Augustine Rubit expressed readiness and anticipation for the challenge against a strong opponent. The team aims to build chemistry after a complex preparation period with multiple player absences.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Maccabi Ashdod plays its first Winner League game Thursday against Nes Ziona.
- Augustine Rubit, Ben Calhoon Gold, and Shawn Dawson will play for Ashdod.
- Coach Dan Katzir emphasized fan support as the team's "sixth player."
- This is the first time Ashdod will have a full roster since training began.
- Player Augustine Rubit feels ready and anticipates facing opponent Freddy Gillespie.
Maccabi Ashdod will play its first-ever game in the Winner League on Thursday at 8:15 PM against Nes Ziona in Ashdod. For the first time this season, the team will field a full roster, including Augustine Rubit, who has been sidelined with an injury but is ready to play despite not being fully recovered. Ben Calhoon Gold, who missed the previous game due to illness, and Shawn Dawson, who was absent from the initial games, will also be available.
The team is making a significant effort to attract fans, visiting Retamim school on Thursday to distribute invitations with ticket purchase codes. Coach Dan Katzir expressed his excitement for the league debut, emphasizing the team's preparation over the last month and a half. He stressed the importance of fan support, calling them the "sixth player" and hoping for a full arena to push the team towards victory.
Katzir also noted that this is the first time the team will have a complete squad since training began, viewing it positively as a sign of the team's potential beyond their previous performances. Experienced player Augustine Rubit stated he feels "wonderful" and ready for the challenge, seeing it as a great opportunity to perform in front of the home crowd. He acknowledged Nes Ziona as a strong opponent with an impressive roster, mentioning his personal familiarity with some players and anticipating a competitive matchup against Freddy Gillespie, with whom he previously played at Bayern Munich.
Rubit added that the team has had a complex preparation period, only practicing with the full roster for the first time on Saturday due to earlier injuries to Dawson and himself, and they are still working on team chemistry.
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